Kaan Erkorkmaz, PEng

Kaan Erkorkmaz is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He is a Fellow of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) and also a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario.

Professor Erkorkmaz’s research interests are in the areas of precision manufacturing, machining, and dynamics; controls, and optimal trajectory planning for machine tools; with the objective of increasing the productivity, part quality, and resource efficiency in manufacturing operations.

• Precision Engineering, Dynamics, Controls, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Automotive, Advanced Robotics, Controls and Precision Tooling, Digital Factories, Digital Design and Fabrication Technologies, Embedded Systems, Sensors and Devices, Machining Automation, Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing

Dr. Erkorkmaz’ main research interests are in the areas of Precision Engineering, Dynamics, Controls, and Manufacturing. He has developed novel trajectory generation, identification, control, and virtual simulation techniques, which have been experimentally validated, to improve the high speed positioning accuracy and motion smoothness of multi-axis machines such as Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tools. These research contributions are also applicable to other multi-axis systems, such as industrial robots, semiconductor/optical manufacturing equipment, and nano-scale positioning devices. Since joining University of Waterloo, Dr. Erkorkmaz has established the Precision Controls Laboratory (PCL), which conducts collaborative research with Canadian industry and academic partners. Example projects include Development of High Performance CNC Algorithms (CADLink Technology Corp): CADLink (Ottawa-based CAD/CAM Company) is currently developing a state-of-the-art CNC controller, which has licensed the motion control and trajectory planning algorithms developed earlier by Dr. Erkorkmaz during his graduate studies. Further research in developing new motion control algorithms at PCL/UW is supported by OCE/MMO through a Directed Collaborative Research Program ($132,000). CADLink has built and donated a high-speed router machine ($40,000) to UW to support this project.

• 2004, Doctorate Mechanical Engineering
• Thesis Topic:Optimal Trajectory Generation and Precision Tracking Control for Multi-Axis Machines
• Specialization: Automatic Control (major), Machining, Mechanical Vibrations, Instrumentation, Design, Sensors and Actuators, Re, University of British Columbia, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vancouver, BC
• 1999, Master's Mechanical Engineering
• Thesis Topic:High Speed Contouring Control for Machine Tool Drives
• Research Advisor:Prof. Yusuf Altintas
• , Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
• 1996, Master's Systems and Control Engineering,Course requirements completed, master’s degree continued at UBC, Bogazici University, Institute of Science and Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
• 1995, Bachelor's Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

• 2008 (Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation), Project Title: Virtual Prototyping and Control of Ultra-Precise Positioning Systems for High-Tech Manufacturing
• 1995 3rd ranking among 140 in graduating class from Istanbul Tech. University, Mech. Eng. Dept. (1995).
• 1998 UBC Graduate Teaching Assistant Teaching Prize (1998)
• 1999 Nomination by UBC Mech. Eng. Dept. for WAGS/UMI Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award (1999)
• 1999 UBC University Graduate Fellowship (UGF) (1999-2001)
• 2001 Li Tze Fong Memorial Fellowship (UGF Endowed) (2001-2002)
• 2004 Selection of Ph.D. thesis as the best doctoral dissertation in Engineering and Computer Science disciplines at UBC, and nomination by UBC for the NSERC Doctoral Prize (2004)
• 2004 Nomination by UBC Mech. Eng. Dept. for Governor General's Gold Medal (2004)
• 2007 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (to be received in 2007)

• ME 548 - Numerical Control of Machine Tools 1
  • Taught in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• ME 780 - Special Topics in Mechatronics
  • Taught in 2021, 2023
• MTE 360 - Automatic Control Systems
  • Taught in 2018, 2019

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Researchers develop software to optimize gear cutting processes
• Prof honoured by technical university in Germany